THREATS OF MURDER.

New Zealand Mail, 27 August 1902, Page 37

THREATS OF MURDER.

FRANK MOORE AGAIN IN COURT. Francis Thomas Moore—who pleaded guilty some weeks ago to a charge of threatening to murder the Acting-Pre-mier, Sir Joseph Ward, and who was subsequently remanded for medical examination as to the condition of his mind—came before Mr Justice Edwards iu the Supreme Court on Monday. Mr Gully, Crown solicitor, applied for a further remand, on the ground that it was desirable that additional material should be submitted to the examining doctors, and possibly a further examination made. He also desired to call a witness who was not then available, and under the circumstances he thought he had better not call the medical witnesses who were in attendance.

Mr Wilford, on behalf of the prisoner, said he desired to examine the editors of the “Times” and “Post,” and ask them a few general questions relating to the report made by the accused on the meat industry on which the doctors were now making their examination. He also wished to be furnished.with copies of the report, and to be allowed to see the doctors’ own report that day. Mr Gully expressed his intention to call the doctors, and have their evidence given verbally. He was prepared to give Mr Wilford a general idea of what the medical evidence would he. Mr Wilford considered he was entitled to something more than a general idea, and pointed out the difficulty of preparing to cross-examine witnessed without a complete knowledge of what they proposed to state.

His Honor asked what could Mr Gully do? He could not supply on the doctors’ report the evidence they wore going to give.

Mr Gully explained that his invention was not to have a written report from the doctors, hut to have their evidence viva voce. Ho was quite prepared to give Mr Wilford all the information he could as to the nauiro of the medical evidence.

Mr Wilford applied to have the evidence of the newspaper editors taken then, as it dealt with a branch of the case not affected by the medical evidence.

His Honor observed that he failed to see what bearing the prisoner’s report on the meat industry could have on the subject. Mr Wilford replied that the doctor® might have found, after examining, the prisoner on that subject, that he said something that was not sane or sensible.

His Honor did not think that, as professional -men, the doctors would base their report on the meat industry alone. As lie had a jury panel awaiting him and a civil case, he thoughtMr Lukin and Mr Kelly would not object to come'down anothercay. At present he regarded the case as a very grave one indeed. liis view might bo modified in tho prisoner’s favour by what he might hear subsequently, but it was not in the prisoner’s interest to urge more immediate action.

Mr Wilford said he desired to vendor this evidence as throwing more light on the subject of the offence. The case was then further remanded until Friday morning at 10.30-